The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-19
THE LONDON TINES OFFICE
Noticeable Features OF Il Famous and I'm
usually Exclusive Establishment.
Dignihed Compositors-A Staff of Picked Men
Generous Accommodations for Editors.
buta Shabby Room for Penny -a-Liners.
r. G. Crawford, in New York World.

Yesterday had a long talk with DR.. Mcdonald,
the manager of the London Times. This news
paper is one of the most exclusive in London.
1t never divides its news with any paper, how
ever remote. 1t is the fashion among English
men to poke fun at the Times, but it is most
influential factor in English politics from its
very characteristics, which harmonic most
thoroughly with prevailing English ideas The
Times is, in the first place, the highestpriced
newspaper in the world. It is sold at Sd, or 6
cents of our money, while every one OF its
principal competitors is sold at ID or 2 cents of
our money. 1t steadily holds its own in spite of
this high price. l asked the manager of this
paper yesterday if re did not think thav would
make more money by lowering the price He
said, in reply. that they might gain larger
circulation, but added: "It was q matter of
principle with US to maintain the price as it
now is For. with the lowering of the price,
I have noticed in the cheaper papers tend
ency to the lowering of their general tone and
character"
have never seen any newspaper establish
ment which has such combined air of war
oflce and monastery. Although situated In
one of the noisest quarters of the city, when
once you are fairly behind its solid walls you
hear only soft. confused murmer of the roar
in the streets. The Times building is plain red
brick, of heavy, almost clumsy style of achi-
lecture. 1t sets so low in the street that you 40
not get fair idea Of its great size until you have
begun to walk through it. Unlike the greater
part of our newspaper Offices it's space is entirely
occupied by the newspaper publication and staff.
No foreign element is permitted to occupy the
remotest corner of the establishment. No one
is permitted to enter the building beyond the do
main of the business department except he has
personal acquaintance with the editor or
trustworthy letter of introduction to him. Ev-
cry one in the employment of this paper is ex-
pected to guard all of the regular business pro-
ceedings and work of the Office if the most
trivial matter were grave state secret
Yesterday afternoon found personal letter
of introduction from Mr.. George w. Childs, a
key which at once unlocked to me this most
closely guarded Office Within five minutes
after its being sent up by the blonde-mustached.
soldier looking messenger, | Was ushered up two
broad flights of stairs to the managers reception
room. The Times establishment is altogether
too conservative to introduce elevators except in
their publication department. where the lifts"
employed for carrying the forms up and
down and for similar heavy work.
Thereon where I was received was large and
high. lighted by two great windows, devoid of
drapery The walls were dull yeow-gray,
with one picture hanging thereon. This was Of
Bullrun Russell, the Illness famous spe-
been painted many years ago, as it
is quite dimmed with age and coal-soot.
1t hangs directly the heavy dark, wooden
mantel underneath which glowed and snapped a
bright, open, soft-coal FIRE. There were half
dozen very heavy mahogany chairs in the ROOM
upholstered in dark-green leather One chair
had mahogany writiug-leaf on its arm. The
desk OF the manager. in the center, was very
plain. and contained but few papers. Back of
1t hung great white chart OF the construction
of sentences in the French language. To the
right of the desk was broad, luxurious. light
gray-ereen chintz-covered sofa, large enough
and wide enough to rest the Cardiff giant. In
the corner beyond this was plain handsome,
dark book case, with glass doors. This case was
filled with works of reference only. The carpet
was dark, dull red. The room was almost
severe in its simplicity, and yet it seemed thor
oughly complete and satisfactory. =
DR.. Mcdonald, the manager received me with
a cordiality that is unusual for publisher TO
show to visitor who calls during working
hours. He gave me more time than the Presi-
dent of the United STATES could reasonably hope
to obtain from New York editor, if he sought
consultation with him during working hours.
The Times manager has been. in this Office
since 1841. He has been the, manager since
1857. If he owned every inch of this property
he could not extend to it more loyalty, pride OF
care. He does not look day over forty-fve
years Of age although from the length of his
service in this Office it is reason able to conclude
| that he is at least fifty. He is above medium
height. with broad pair of shoulders. splen
| didly developed chest and an air of health an6
| energy in reserve, good to sea in a man occupy
| ing position OF responsibility and active occu
patton. His large head is quite bald. Abou
| the base of the skull is a fringe of yelowish
| brown hair touched lightly with gray. His fore
head is full and projecting in .ne region of the
perceptive faculties. His eyes are clear, cold
| blue-gray. His nose is straieht and large. TIL,
| lower part of his fresh. rudcty-colored face il
/ covered by short. brown mustache and beard
/ very much of the fashion and color Of that worr
| by the late General Grant. His voice is rich
full and deliberate He is a man evidently O
an iron Will and great executive capacity-on
| of those rare individuals VIII never get excite,
/ and are most deliberate when others are demon
! allied He has an unusual burden of response
| biity in maintaining the hi Oh state of discpin
necessary to the keeping of the morale of thi
| most exclusive and dignifed OF newspapers.
| Mr.. Mcdonald personally showed me through
| the Times establishment instead of turning m
over to the tender mere les Of messenger
| do not propose to give a detailed description o
| the mechanism of this publication Office, blu
/ merely to note few things that especial
struck my mind. In til first place the editoria
| rooms would interest m ost American pewspape
| men. Every prominent writer on the paper ha
large room to himself. furnished in the sam
style OF solid comfort and simplicity as the man
! ayers Office. In e;lch room sparkled an ope
| fire. In each tner B was library of reference
In this monksh sol itude in front of a CLOWN
fire, with his books and papers about him
| guarded against any possible intrusion. if ever
writer should be inspired to do good work b
surely would be in such surroundings. Blu
these writers are not permitted to select thei
own subjects They are given their subject
and told how 10 treat them by the manager
| The rest Is me re matter of literary gymnastlc.
| In the visit to- the editorial rooms we stoppe
at one room on one of the upper floors TIL
was the only sh.a bby- looking room in the whol
establishment. The carpet here was wor
thread bare. The coverings to the desks wer
ragged. 1t wa such break in the general cha
acter of the institution that / involuntaril
turned towar DIS the Doctor. He glanced quetl
at a careless dressed young man, who, with
silk hat OH the back OF his head, was writin
away for ear life as he said in low tone
voice, This is the penny -a-liners' room.
one who works in this room has any regular en-
ployment or connection with the Times"
In 9th er words, the writers who come hel
prepare iae'Ss articles to sell to you at so much
lne?"
PRECISELY"
They. correspond to the space-writers of O,
Offices. Do any of these penny-a-llners ev,
gradua te from this kind of work into reguli
emplo svnent on the Times2'
| The manager said with peculiar emphasis
might say almost never!"
In The composing-rOom there was the san
silen &c. decorum and discipline. There wei
ereas screens back of the printers to prote,
them and their manuscript copy from the sg
of casual passers-by The cases are of DIAL
wood. The floors are stone Everywhere O.
ces sive cleanliness and order. There is
loimgng. The printers are obliged to put q
their outside wraps and hats in a check-ro
No article of apparel is allowed TO rest ar